Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched 109 high-yielding, climate-resilient, and
biofortified seed varieties, marking a significant advancement in India’s agricultural sector.
The launch, held at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Pusa Campus in
Delhi, aims to enhance farm productivity, increase farmers’ income, and address nutritional
challenges nationwide.
Developed by ICAR, these seed varieties cover 61 crops, including 34 field crops and 27
horticultural crops. The field crop varieties span cereals, millets, forage crops, oilseeds,
pulses, sugarcane, cotton, and fiber crops, while the horticultural range includes new
varieties of fruits, vegetables, plantation crops, tubers, spices, flowers, and medicinal plants.
During the event, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the importance of these seeds in the
context of climate change and food security. He noted that these climate-resilient varieties
are designed to boost agricultural productivity while ensuring the farming sector’s resilience against the unpredictable impacts of climate change.
The seeds introduced today are specially bred to withstand adverse climatic conditions such
as droughts, floods, and other environmental stressors.
Biofortification, a key feature of the new seed varieties, enhances the nutritional quality of
crops by enriching them with essential vitamins and minerals. Modi has actively supported the use of biofortified crops, connecting them with government programs such as the
Mid-Day Meal scheme and Anganwadi services to address malnutrition issues in India.
Since taking office in 2014, Prime Minister Modi has consistently championed sustainable
farming practices and climate-resilient agricultural methodologies. These efforts are part of a
broader strategy to double farmers’ income by promoting high-yielding and resilient crop
varieties.
The introduction of these 109 seed varieties is expected to have a significant impact on both
agricultural productivity and nutritional outcomes. Integrating these varieties into government
programs such as the Mid-Day Meal scheme aims to provide more nutritious meals to
millions of children, addressing malnutrition at the grassroots level.
At the Pusa Campus, Modi also interacted with farmers and scientists, reaffirming the
government’s commitment to supporting the agricultural community through innovative
solutions. He emphasized that adopting these new seed varieties will enable farmers to
achieve better harvests and improve their incomes, even in the face of climate challenges.
The government’s focus on sustainable agriculture aligns with global efforts to mitigate the
impact of climate change on food security. The introduction of these resilient and biofortified
seed varieties serve as a crucial step toward securing the future and stability of its
agricultural sector.
The launch of these seed varieties underscores the government’s dedication to advancing
Indian agriculture through innovation and sustainability.
The widespread adoption of these seed varieties across India is expected to significantly
influence the future of agriculture, enhance food security, and boost nutrition for millions of
people.
The launch of these seed varieties signifies a major advancement in India’s agricultural
strategy, with the potential to drive future growth and resilience in the sector. By enhancing
crop yields and nutritional value, these seeds are set to make a substantial difference in the lives of farmers and contribute significantly to national food security.
